The recent issuance of International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has drawn widespread attention, not only for the gravity of the charges but also for the revealing reactions of Western countries. These reactions underscore a troubling inconsistency, if not outright hypocrisy, in the application of international law. For the first time, high-ranking officials from a Western-allied state are being targeted by the ICC, yet the response from many governments that previously championed the court’s work has been alarmingly dismissive or hostile.

The ICC’s actions mark a historic moment. Officials from Western-allied nations have, until now, been largely insulated from the court’s scrutiny. The charges against Netanyahu and Gallant-stemming from their roles in Israel’s military operations in Gaza-fall within the ICC’s jurisdiction under allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity. These actions, particularly amid the devastating toll of the ongoing conflict, have long been condemned by human rights organizations worldwide.

Yet the response from countries that traditionally support the ICC reflects a stark divergence in their principles. While the court has previously been lauded for pursuing justice in cases involving leaders from non-Western nations, its move against Israeli officials has been met with outright rejection by some, convoluted legal arguments by others, and uncomfortable silence by the rest.

The United States’ reaction exemplifies this double standard. President Joe Biden swiftly condemned the ICC’s warrants, calling them “outrageous” and reaffirming unwavering support for Israel. His statement dismissed the court’s findings, emphasizing that “there is no equivalence-none-between Israel and Hamas.” Such rhetoric not only undermines the ICC but also disregards the evidence and legal basis underpinning its decision.

Prominent US lawmakers, particularly Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, have gone even further, threatening sanctions against allies who cooperate with the ICC. Graham’s incendiary remarks included warnings of economic retaliation against countries like Canada, Britain, Germany, and France should they support the court’s actions. His invocation of the 2002 Hague Invasion Act-which permits military action to prevent U.S. personnel from being tried by the ICC-reflects the extreme lengths some American leaders are willing to go to shield Israeli officials. Graham’s statement that “we should crush your economy, because we’re next” highlights a broader fear that the court could one day target US officials for their complicity in Israel’s actions or other alleged war crimes.

France’s initial response to the ICC warrants was equally perplexing. A founding member of the ICC and self-proclaimed defender of human rights, France undermined the court’s authority by suggesting that Netanyahu enjoys immunity as the leader of a non-signatory state. This argument, however, is legally untenable. The Rome Statute-the ICC’s founding treaty-empowers the court to pursue individuals for war crimes and crimes against humanity regardless of their country’s membership status.

France’s ambiguous stance represents a stark departure from its prior support for ICC warrants against non-Western leaders, including Sudan’s Omar al-Bashir and Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi. The inconsistency raises questions about whether France’s commitment to international justice is contingent on the geopolitical affiliations of the accused.

The broader reaction from G7 nations reveals a troubling trend. While the United States and France have actively undermined the ICC’s decision, other members, including Germany, Canada, and the United Kingdom, have largely avoided addressing the warrants. Their silence contrasts sharply with their vocal support for the ICC’s previous actions, such as its indictment of Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this year. This selective engagement with international justice undermines the ICC’s credibility and perpetuates perceptions of Western bias.

The ICC’s decision to pursue Netanyahu and Gallant is grounded in well-established international legal principles. The charges align with definitions of war crimes and crimes against humanity outlined in the Geneva Conventions and the Rome Statute. The court’s judges, including esteemed legal scholars like Theodor Meron, conducted a thorough six-month review of the evidence before issuing the warrants.

Critics’ claims that the ICC is overstepping its mandate ignore the fact that international justice requires accountability, regardless of political considerations. If immunity were granted based on non-membership in the Rome Statute, as France suggested, the ICC would be rendered impotent against precisely the kind of atrocities it was established to address.

The West’s inconsistent support for the ICC sets a dangerous precedent. By dismissing or undermining the court’s authority in cases involving their allies, these nations weaken the very institution they once championed. This approach not only erodes the ICC’s legitimacy but also emboldens perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity, who may now see international justice as selective and politically motivated.

The hypocrisy is especially glaring when contrasted with the West’s enthusiastic support for the ICC’s actions against Putin. Many of the same governments that applauded the court’s warrants against Russian officials now question its legitimacy in pursuing Israeli leaders. This double standard risks transforming the ICC into a tool of geopolitical convenience rather than a bastion of impartial justice.

As former EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell aptly noted, respecting the ICC is essential for achieving global justice. The court’s work is vital in holding powerful individuals accountable for their actions, regardless of their nationality or political affiliations. Borrell’s parting advice to the EU to “use our leverage” reflects the urgent need for consistent support for international legal mechanisms.

The ICC’s pursuit of Netanyahu and Gallant represents a pivotal test of the international community’s commitment to justice. Western nations must decide whether they will uphold the principles of accountability and rule of law or continue to apply these standards selectively, based on political expediency.

The ICC’s arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant have exposed deep-seated inconsistencies in the West’s approach to international justice. By rejecting or undermining the court’s authority in this case, countries like the United States and France risk undermining the very foundations of the global legal order. To preserve the ICC’s credibility and ensure accountability for all, the international community must adopt a consistent and principled stance, free from political double standards. Only then can the promise of global justice be fulfilled.

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